News from the Turkish Foreign Ministry

Press Release Regarding The Participation Of H.e. Mr. Bekir Bozdağ, Deputy Prime Minister Of The Republic Of Turkey, In The 18th Ordinary Session Of The Assembly Of The African Union, 28 January 2012 , 30.01.2012

No: 29, 28 January 2012

H.E. Mr. Bekir Bozdağ, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, will pay a visit to Ethiopia on 28-30 January 2012 in order to attend the 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union to be held on 29-30 January 2012 in Addis Ababa.

Turkey obtained the observer status in the African Union in 2005 and was declared as the strategic partner of the Continent by the Organization in 2008. The 1st Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit which was held in 2008 in Istanbul enabled the partnership between Turkey and Africa to acquire a sustainable structure. Finally, within the framework of the existing follow up mechanism, the First Ministerial Review Conference of the Turkey-Africa Partnership was held in Istanbul in December 2011. The 2nd Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit will be held in an African country in 2013.

This visit constitutes a new indication of Turkey’s strong will towards the development of the Turkey-Africa partnership.

As well as his participation in the Meetings of the African Union Summit, H.E. Mr. Bozdağ will also have bilateral contacts with Government officials from various African countries, including Ethiopia, the host country. On this occasion, he will also have the opportunity to visit certain Turkish investments in Ethiopia.